FOR PERSONAL, NON-COMMERCIAL USE ONLY
June 18, 2002
For Immediate Release

Statement On Senate Committee Passage
Of Gun Trafficking Prevention Bill

(Sacramento) - The California State Senate Public Safety Committee today voted 4 -1 to approve AB 2080, the Gun Trafficking Prevention Act.

The legislation, sponsored by Assemblyman Darrell Steinberg(D-Sacramento), arose in response to the case of Sean Twomey, a convicted criminal who was able to buy and sell over 1,100 guns illegally over a period of months using a phony federal firearms license.

Some of these guns, mostly junk guns and assault weapons, have already been used to commit a wide range of serious crimes. AB 2080 would require federally licensed gun dealers (FFL's) in other states who supply guns to California FFL's to first confirm the validity of the recipient's license
with the state Department of Justice.

Eric Gorovitz, Western Policy Director for the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, which has endorsed the bill, had this to say: "We commend Assemblyman Steinberg and the Senate Public Safety Committee for their efforts to close the loopholes in state law exposed by the Twomey case. Today's vote in the Senate Public Safety Committee is another sign that Californians are serious about enforcing tough gun laws that keep guns out of the criminal hands."

For more information about AB 2080, please contact Eric Gorovitz at 510-387-5187 or 510-526-0476.